Mention that you are spending time in San Diego, California, and it won’t take long for someone to tell you that you HAVE to visit the San Diego Zoo.  Well we did just that when our friends Barry and Melissa were in town visiting!  I’ve been to a lot of zoos, and it’s easy to see why the San Diego Zoo is hailed by many as one of the greatest zoos in the country.  Known for pioneering the concept of open-air, cageless exhibits that re-create natural animal habitats, the zoo promotes wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.  I love that!  Knowing that the zoo is home to animals in need of rescuing is a really cool thing.  Exploring the zoo made me want to snuggle the koalas and play with the monkeys and swim with the hippos….but they don’t allow those things, so instead I just took as many photographs as I could.  Enjoy!! :)

The giraffes are actually smiling.  I know it’s not just me, they are literally smiling you guys!

Is it weird that watching the polar bear kept making me think of the Coca-Cola commercials?

I don’t know what breed this birdie is, but clearly he thinks he is a flamingo!

PANDA!!!

A ride on the Skyfari gives you an aerial view of the zoo!

Proof that my husband is the animal whisperer!  This little guy was watching us as we walked out of the park, he ate some of our granola right out of Ben’s hand!